Gameplan the Steelers.

[Joelist]

Sorry but the idea that Andy wilts under pressure is false. Again, the big issue has been the huge number of dropped passes from players like Gresham and Marvin Jones and the like. If they would do their jobs and CATCH THE BALL reliably, there would be no issue.

[tcholas]

Originally Posted by Stewee28

This!!! When the Bengals get their hands on Big Ben, and they will, it is important they bring him down, because if he gets away, we're screwed! Make every hit count, meaning, make sure he feels it. Dont get flagged, but I would be putting my helmet on his ribs every chance I got and drop him on his bad shoulder.

Yes, I'm all in for this too. A healthy Ben can make impact, but a hurten one not. Be nasty like they have been with us all this time, breaking jaws, tackling QBs knee and etc. But all in the rules, without being pennalized.

[3wt]

Originally Posted by Bvengali

Don't think anyone's mentioned this yet, but I think Dalton also needs to be prepared to do what he didn't do until the 2nd half against the Eagles, and that is to neutralize pressure by scrambling.

If PIT is getting pressure early, Dalton will likely be a mess all game. If there's pressure, he needs to look at his first, maybe 2nd read, and if there's a lane to step up into and start running, he needs to take it. If he can put together a couple first downs that way, maybe a couple 12-20 yd gains, PIT will back off on the pressure and we can get back to our game plan.

I think that's what Pittsburgh is going to do. They are going to stack the line of scrimmage, blitz and stunt - daring us to pass and and following Philadelphia's script. That's pretty much their script with us anyway because our passing game is so inconsistent and our protection against stunts is historically poor.

If we follow our script we won't be able to run the ball till it's too late and we'll be prone to "three and outs" the whole game.

If we can protect Andy enough to burn them on blitzes, he delivers accurately and the receivers hold on to the ball we'll win the game.

[XenoMorph]

Score more points thant Pitt

Stop pitt from scoring points.

Key will be to attack the outside of their Defense They are old and slow or inexperienced backups.

Troy P has looked horrible the last 2 games. so maybe more 2x TE

[Xs&Os]

On offense:
1) Everything depends on Dalton. This is the game that his play will decide whether we win.
2) Pass to set up the run.
3) 3 receiver, one TE sets. Back stays in to protect and as check down.
4) Roll outs and bootlegs.
5) Crossing routes to take advantage of depleted secondary.
6) No huddle against their base defense.
My opinion is to pass early and often. Use no huddle and crossing routes to confuse their secondary and exhaust their aging D-line.

On defense:
1) Sounds obvious, but Ben's strength is passes down the middle of the field to TEs on the seam or WR posts.
2) Pressur up the middle, and controlled pressure from the ends.
3) Mix of man and zone. Cover 3 disguised. 4-2-5.
I think the key to stopping their offense is pressure up the middle with deep zone coverage behind it.

So the offense will depend on how Dalton performs. The defense will depend on how Atkins, Dunlap and Lawson perform.

[BengalB]

Originally Posted by joelist

sorry but the idea that andy wilts under pressure is false. Again, the big issue has been the huge number of dropped passes from players like gresham and marvin jones and the like. If they would do their jobs and catch the ball reliably, there would be no issue.

this

[ImpactPlaya]

on offense

1. The Steelers are hurting at CB. Too bad Sanu is out cause he could have done some real damage
vs the Steelers undersized CBs.
We need to get Charles and Gresham on the field together as much as possible. I would flex Gresham out
as Y WR. Line up Jones and Green on one side. Force the Steelers to put a safety on Gresham.

2. Go with a unbalanced line and just pound it. We can't afford to get into 3rd and forever situations. They have to be a very convertible yardage situations.

3. Boot action passes. The Steelers are so aggressive in their pursuit of the ball. Fake the stretch zone runs and roll Andy to the other side with Charles and Gresham. Keep the Steelers guessing.

Defense
1. Cannot let Big Ben out of the pocket. We need to do what the Eagles did to us and use creative stunts and twists. The Steelers right side is inexperienced.

2. Get physical with the Steelers WRs off the LOS. why do we give WRs a free release?
The Steelers love to run those picks or rubs downfield with their WRs.

3. Make Heath Miller a non factor. Everytime Big Ben is forced out of pocket,his 1st look downfield is Heath Miller. I would make Emmanual Lemur cover him.